The Nanohyla frog species in Vietnam is quite fascinating. They are found in the mountainous regions of the country.
These frogs are relatively small, typically reaching lengths of around 3-4 centimeters.
Taxonomy
Nanohyla was once grouped with Microhyla, but a 2021 study revealed that they actually form distinct lineages.
The study used morphological and phylogenetic evidence to make this discovery.
This change in classification has given Nanohyla its own unique identity within the world of frogs.
Species and Description
There are currently nine species placed in the Nanohyla genus. These species are found in various parts of Asia.
Nanohyla species can be quite diverse in terms of their physical characteristics. For example, some species have distinctive markings on their heads, such as white spots.
The smallest species of Nanohyla is the Nanohyla perparva, with a male snout-vent length of around 18.2-20.2 mm. This species also has a unique skin pattern on its dorsum, which is tubercular.
Some Nanohyla species have distinctive vocalizations, such as the male advertisement call of the Nanohyla albopunctata, which consists of a series of rattling sounds.
Here is a list of the known Nanohyla species:
- Nanohyla annamensis (Annam chorus frog)
- Nanohyla annectens (Larut Hills rice frog)
- Nanohyla arboricola
- Nanohyla hongiaoensis
- Nanohyla marmorata
- Nanohyla nanapollexa
- Nanohyla perparva
- Nanohyla petrigena
- Nanohyla pulchella
New Species Discovery
A new species of frog has been discovered in the lowland forests of southern Vietnam. This species, Nanohyla albopunctata, is a divergent lineage that clearly differs from any other Nanohyla species.
The new species is characterized by small body size, with males reaching a snout-vent length of 18.2-20.2 mm. Its body habitus is moderately slender, with a rounded snout and distinct tympanum.
The Nanohyla albopunctata's skin on the back is tubercular, while the belly is smooth. It also lacks a mid-vertebral skin ridge and dorsomedial stripe, and its superciliary tubercles are absent.
The frog's hindlimbs are long, with the tibiotarsal articulation reaching well beyond the snout. Its fingers are free of webbing, and the toe webbing formula is I 1-2 II 1-2 III 1-2 IV 1½-1 V.
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The Nanohyla albopunctata's dorsum varies from dark gray to yellowish-gray, with a darker "teddy-bear"-shaped brown marking. Its posterior surfaces of thighs and cloacal region have several brown stripes, and its chin, chest, and belly have gray mottling.
The male advertisement call of the new species is characterized by a series of rattling sounds, consisting of 2-6 calls lasting 0.63 s, with 1-3 initial pulses and 5-9 successive pulses at a dominant frequency of ca. 3.02 kHz.
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